After months of planning, selling, packing, moving out, driving, housesitting, more driving, and moving in, we have finally settled in our new home in Benowa on Queensland's Gold Coast. And already we are 'in the air again', on our next overseas adventure.
This time we have spread our outward journey over three flights, with our first stop in Singapore. Over the past couple of days we have visited places we have seen before, and others we haven't. We are now at Changi Airport where we will spend the next few hours waiting to board our flight to Dubai.
Just around the corner from our hotel was the fabulous Plaza Singapura and these 'jelly babies' stand at the front of the shopping centre, just one of the many quirky sculptures around Singapore. We wandered down here each morning for a light breakfast at Starbucks (below), and relished the air conditioning, in addition to the coffee. The average daily temperature has been around 32C!
On our first day, we returned to the fantastic Gardens by the Bay, 250 acres of plant species ranging from cool, temperate climates to tropical forests and habitats.
Navigating through the MRT (underground rail) and on the train.
Walking to Gardens by the Bay - just about there.
The Flower Dome and Cloud Forest are each encased within enormous 'shells' that are fully air conditioned. The Flower Dome contains plants (and sculptures) from across the world, including Australia.
This time, there was a special exhibition of tulips, other flowering plants and memorabilia from Turkey.
The Cloud Forest also contains various plant areas, but it is the way you see it that makes it so special. The areas are viewed from walkways suspended above the ground, the highest of which is about five floors up.
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On the suspended walkway
On our way back to the MRT, we came across the Jurassic Nest Food Hall (pity we had already eaten). If anyone can accidentally find dinosaurs, its Penny. The start of the food hall is a Tyrannosaurus Rex who comes alive each thirty minutes - and we just happened to be there at the right time.
The second day, we again took the MRT and this time visited the Marina Bay Sands precinct. We had heard about this each time we visited Singapore but thought it was just a hotel with wonderful views. Well, it turned out to be a little more...
The hotel is an amazing structure that comprises three separate towers. On the top of tower 3, 57 floors above the ground, we visited the observation deck. Jim was able to get right up to the edge, but Penny wasn't as brave, but we did manage to get some photos.
Looking down at Gardens by the Bay
On the top of another tower is an infinity swimming pool which is famous as the world's largest rooftop infinity pool, but unfortunately it is only available to hotel guests!
On the ground level of the hotel are a number of upmarket restaurants and shops. But the shopping centre across the road, which is accessed via a pedestrian tunnel, is even more impressive. Here there are 170 designer label shops and restaurants, and even an indoor lake with passenger boats.
Photo taken from Beanstro, where we lunched.
We discovered tonight that Changi Airport has become quite expensive since our last visit - we paid a total of $48 for a glass of red wine and a beer...
Dubai, here we come!
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